A major role in parenting is instilling confidence in children. In order to feel competent and valued, kids need to hear certain things from their parents. A compliment can drive a child towards great things. Some of the best and most meaningful compliments can come from Mom and Dad. Here … Read More
Strengthening Your Stepfamily: Part 4
In newly formed stepfamilies, the standard advice that I give to the couple is for the parent to take the lead with discipline. There is a great deal of research supporting this stance. The most helpful role for step parents during the early years of stepfamily formation is to nurture … Read More
Therapy for Children: Connecting Through Play
Many parents are skeptical about the therapeutic benefit of therapy for children. A common question we are asked at GROW is, “Can my child really participate in therapy?” “Will they know how to express themselves?” The answer to both of those questions is an absolute yes. Play therapy is a research … Read More
Strengthening Your Stepfamily: Part 3
While the step-couple may be experiencing the bliss of their new relationship, children are likely experiencing a myriad of emotions. When a stepfamily forms, changes often happen too quickly for the children. According to Dr. Patricia Papernow, this presents a common challenge that stepfamilies encounter: Children are dealing with losses, … Read More
Parenting with Mindfulness
The practice of mindfulness has gained popularity in the field of Psychology as a practice for improving well being, health, and managing stress and anxiety. Mindfulness requires you to be fully present in the moment, attentive to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Parenting can benefit from this mindful approach … Read More
Yours, Mine, and Ours: 5 Tips for Merging Two Families
When families blend and stepfamilies are created, it is not uncommon for problems or conflict to arise. This adjustment process comes with its own unique rewards and challenges. Research findings suggest that a stepfamily takes several years to develop into a family unit. In order to increase your best chance … Read More
Healthy Habits For A Happy Mom
If you’re a mom, you are likely very familiar with interrupted sleep, endless laundry and housework, tantrums, busy schedules, cooking, and very little time to yourself. In the midst of constant demands, many hardworking and selfless women forget that in order to be a good mom you must make yourself … Read More
Social Media And The Power it Holds
I often field questions from parents asking about how to navigate the role of social media in their children’s lives. “Should I allow my teen to have a Facebook?” “Is it ok for him/her to be posting so many selfies?” “What is ‘Snapchat?’” Most of the time, the answers to … Read More
Strengthening Your Stepfamily: Part 2
One of the most frequent challenges I see with the step-couples that I work with is that one of them is struggling with feeling like an outsider in their own family. According to Dr. Patricia Papernow (2013), stuck insider/outsider positioning is a core challenge for the stepfamily. And for those … Read More
The Aftermath of Trauma: Helping Children Cope
Witnesses to a violent or traumatic event are considered “secondary victims.” When the “secondary victim” is a child, parents and other caregivers are often unsure of how to respond to the effects of trauma. It is essential for children to be able to talk about their feelings and attempt to … Read More
